FOX 13 INVESTIGATES:
"THE INSULIN CRISIS"

SUMMARY
There is an epidemic of diabetes in this country. Last year alone, diabetes jumped six percent. Doctors think it has something to do with diet and a similar rise in the obesity rate. This new epidemic makes this FOX 13 Investigation important to everyone. It deals with something called "Dead in Bed" Syndrome. The unexplained deaths of diabetics who seem in perfect health, but are found dead in or near their beds. Are some diabetics being harmed by the insulin they take? FOX 13 Investigates with this EXCLUSIVE report from Glenn Selig.

She vacationed a lot. A fringe benefit of being a top travel agent with American Express. Her sister Nancy says you'd never know Susan had diabetes because she managed it so well. She took a couple shots of Beef/Pork animal insulin a day and she'd be good to go. So it came as a complete shock to the family when four months ago Susan died.

After 37 years the 49-year old switched to Humulin, a lab created drug invented by Eli Lilly and Company. A drug that appears revolutionary for most of the people using it. Three weeks after Susan took her first shot she died. The family isn't sure what to blame it on but wants the FDA to examine Humulin.

Diabetics in the United States and Canada are switching to Humulin because the beef/pork insulin they had been taking is no longer being produced.

Humulin is by far the most widely used insulin drug. But how often do patients have problems. FOX 13 Investigates examined the Food and Drug Administrations records and over a 12 month period, the agency received complaints from doctors and family members about 92 people who died while taking Humulin. In most of the cases there is no explanation given. But three of them were notated as Sudden Death and Unexplained. That's not all the records show. More than 600 people claim to have been hospitalized.

Eli Lilly says everyone can make the switch to Humulin. That it is better than any animal insulin because it's identical to a human's genetic makeup. In a letter to FOX 13, the company says, "There is no question about the safety of Lilly's human insulin. Millions of patients and physicians around the world can attest to the immeasurable benefits of this life-saving drug".

Dr. John Hunt an endocrinologist and diabetes specialist in Vancouver Canada isn't one of them. He says all insulins are not the same. And some might be better than others for some people. Dr. Hunt says with diabetes,, remedies and dosages vary from person to person. So you might have three different diabetics on three totally different regiments and insulins. Dr. Hunt told FOX 13 Investigative Reporter Glenn Selig, "You can't say one insulin fits all, or one insulin schedule fits all. Because everyone is different and each person has their own particular requirements."

The FDA would not be interviewed for this report, but in a statement, the FDA for the first time acknowledges that the drug may not be right for everyone. But the Agency says there's no crisis because there are options "if patients cannot tolerate human insulin."

The FDA says one option is Pork Insulin which Eli Lilly still produces. But there's no mention of pork insulin on the company's website and we called around and only about one in ten pharmacies we contacted had it in stock.

The family of Susan Mescher wants the FDA to determine for certain whether Humulin caused Susan's death.

DRUG REACTIONS TO REPORT?

Do you have an insulin drug reaction to report to the FDA? Click Here

Before submitting E-mail please read and agree to the following statements:

Thank you for submitting your personal story about your insulin reaction.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE CAREFULLY.

 You must be at least 18 years of age to submit your personal story. (A parent or legal guardian may relate any reaction suffered by their child.)

By submitting your personal story to FOX 13, you agree to the following conditions: You agree that your story, name and hometown may be read, if FOX 13 in its sole discretion chooses to do so, during an upcoming news program. You agree that you will not hold Glenn Selig or FOX 13 or any of its employees or its related companies responsible or legally liable for any statement that is made regarding your personal story. In other words, you agree that you will not file a lawsuit or make any type of claim against Glenn Selig or FOX 13 or any of its employees or its related companies for damages, losses, expenses, costs or attorneys' fees at any time in the future as a result of, or arising out of, your submission of your story to FOX 13.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO EVERYTHING STATED IN THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE DO NOT SEND AN E-MAIL.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING FOX 13.

Do you have a drug Insulin reaction to report to FOX 13?
(Please submit all of the following information)

First Name
Last Name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Home Phone
Work Phone
Mobile Phone
E-mail Address
Other Phone
Drug Name

Brief Description of your problem:

Would you like to be added to our database of insulin users?
(Please submit all of the following information)

First Name
Last Name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Home Phone
Work Phone
Mobile Phone
E-mail Address
Other Phone
Type of Insulin

Brief Description of your problem:

FULL TEXT of the Food and Drug Administrations written statements to FOX 13 Investigates

FULL LETTER from Eli Lilly to Investigative Reporter Glenn Selig

STATEMENT from Eli Lilly on the future of Iletin II/Pork Insulin

LINKS TO RELATED WEB SITES

DIABETES ADVOCACY

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust
Compassionate Use Project
Diabetes Interview Magazine
Diabetics International Forum
Insulin Forum-Switzerland

COMPANY

Eli Lilly and Company

ADA

American Diabetes Association

IMPORTATION INFORMATION

Food and Drug Administration
CP Pharmaceuticals-England

TALK BACK!

Do you have a comment about "Insulin Crisis" report? Click Here

Before submitting E-mail please read and agree to the following statements:

Thank you for submitting your comments about "Insulin Crisis." PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE CAREFULLY. You must be at least 18 years of age to submit your comments.

By submitting your comments to FOX 13, you agree to the following conditions: You agree that your name and hometown may be read, if FOX 13 in its sole discretion chooses to do so, during an upcoming news program. You agree that you will not hold Glenn Selig or FOX 13 or any of its employees or its related companies responsible or legally liable for any statement that is made regarding your comments. In other words, you agree that you will not file a lawsuit or make any type of claim against Glenn Selig or FOX 13 or any of its employees or its related companies for damages, losses, expenses, costs or attorneys' fees at any time in the future as a result of, or arising out of, your submission of your comments to FOX 13.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO EVERYTHING STATED IN THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE DO NOT SEND AN E-MAIL.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING FOX 13."

FOX 13 INVESTIGATES HOT LINE
FOX 13 Investigates medical, crime, political and other types of alleged wrongdoing. If you've got something you want Investigative Reporter Glenn Selig to investigate, call the FOX 13 Investigates Tip line at (813) 870-9143 or send an E-mail Today!